chop1
¦ verb (chops, chopping, chopped)
1. cut with repeated sharp, heavy blows of an axe or knife.
strike with a short, heavy blow.
2. ruthlessly abolish or reduce in size.
¦ noun
1. a downward cutting blow or movement.
2. a thick slice of meat, especially pork or lamb, adjacent to and usually including a rib.
3. (the chop) Brit. informal dismissal, cancellation, or killing.
4. N. Amer. crushed or ground grain used as animal feed.
5. a broken motion of waves.
Phrases
chop logic argue in a tiresomely pedantic way. [C16: from a dialect use of chop meaning 'bandy words'.]
Origin
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chop2
¦ verb (chops, chopping, chopped) (in phr. chop and change) Brit. informal change one's opinions or behaviour repeatedly and abruptly.
Origin
ME (in the sense 'barter, exchange'): perh. related to OE
ceap 'bargaining, trade'; cf.
chap- in
chapman.
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chop3
¦ noun archaic a trademark or brand of goods.
Phrases
not much chop Austral./NZ informal unsatisfactory.
Origin
C19: from Hindi chap 'stamp, brand'.